Trash baler

ABSTRACT

A portable device in the form of an integral and collapsible apparatus for bundling and elevating debris or the like, characterized by draw lines and anchors therefor which are combined with a releasable winch means in a manner to perform said bundling and elevating functions, and to the end that debris is compacted and positioned for the convenience of tying and then releasable for disposal.

United States Patent [191 Pierens [451 'July 3,1973

[ TRASH BALER [76] Inventor: Daniel A. Plerens, 3677 Ocean View Avenue,Los Angeles, Calif. 90066 [22] Filed: July 22, 1971 [21] Appl. No.:165,195

[52] US. Cl. 100/212, 100/34 [51] Int. Cl B301) 5/04 [58] Field ofSearch 100/2, 3, 34, 35, 100/212; 214/1 R, 1 P, 12

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 247,183 9/1881 Evans 100/343,208,555 9/1965 Fry 214/1 SW X 627,234 6/1899 Johnson 100/34 FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 660,428 5/1938 Germany 100/34 1,027,383 4/1966Great Britain 100/] Primary ExaminerGerald M. Forlenza AssistantExaminer--Frank'E. Werner Attorney-William H. Maxwell [57] ABSTRACT Aportable device in the form of an integral and collapsible apparatus forbundling and elevating debris or the like, characterized by draw linesand anchors therefor which are combined with a releasable winch means ina manner to perform said bundling and elevating functions, and to theend that debris is compacted and positioned for the convenience of tyingand then releasable for disposal.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures TRASH BALEIR BACKGROUND The presentinvention is intended primarily to operate as a tool that expedites thebundling of materials, especially debris which is the product ofgardening. For example, when chopping out vegetation and when pruningtrees or bushes there are random sized sticks and branches with andwithout foliage, and all of which requires compaction to reduce thetrash material to a moderate size for subsequent disposal. Heretofore ithas been a difficult process to manipulate such trash, namely for aperson to compact and simultaneously tie up such a bundle. Therefore, itis a general object of this invention to provide a device for bundlingand elevating debris or the like, whereby a person can compact and tieup bales with facility; it being understood that there is no limit tothe kind of materials to be so baled, for example new materials such asstakes can be baled.

FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to a device in the nature of agarden tool or aid characterized by its erect configuration whichsupports a winch and related anchor trun ions for handling releasablyconstrictable lines adapted to bundling and to elevate materials thatare compacted thereby and made convenient for tying. Therefore, it is anobject of this invention to incorporate the structural features,referred to above, in a stand or like device so as to establish anapparatus adapted to perform the bundling and elevating functions. Inpractice, .the device of the present invention is embodied in anapparatus for the sole purpose of bundling and elevating debrispreparatory to tying the same in compacted form; or it is advantageouslyembodied in an article such as a step ladder (not shown).

It is an object of this invention to provide a winch and anchorrelationship which is conducive to handling debris while simultaneouslyelevating the same preparatory to tying. The device is manually operablein the size herein disclosed; or it can be powered when constructed inlarger sizes. The winch is supported at a high elevation for convenienceto the person operating it; while the anchor trunions are at a lowerlevel; and all to the end that the bundled materials are inherentlyelevated when a line is drawn tight by the winch with the free endthereof anchored to the trunion.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a collapsible deviceof the character above referred to and which is adapted to beconstructed for the special purposes of bundling and elevating debris,or to be incorporated in other similar articles such as a step ladder orthe like.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the baler of the presentinvention showing the constrictor lines thereof extending to receive aquantity of materials to be bundled. FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1illustrating the manner in which the constrictor lines are anchored.FIG. 3 is also a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating theoperation of the baler whereby the functions of bundling and elevatingare accomplished. FIGS. 4 and 5 are enlarged sectional views takensubstantially as indicated by lines 4-4 and 5-5 on FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 isan enlarged detailed sectional view taken as indicatedby line 6-6 onFIG. 4.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT This invention is embodied in a special apparatusas shown in FIG. 1 for the sole purpose of bundling and elevating trash;or it can be embodied in a step ladder or such an article (not shown).In any case the idea of means disclosed herein involves, generally, astand A, a releasable winch B, an anchor trunion C, and a constrictorline D. The basic elements A through D are interrelated as shownthroughout the drawings in order to perform the functions of bundlingand elevating trash or debris; the frame standing erect to support thewinch B over the trunion C; and the line D trained around the debris andoperable between the winch and trunion to constrict over said debriswhen the winch is operated to draw the line tight. Basically, it isfeasible to operate this baler with a single line, however a pair oflines has definite and practical advantages, preventing overturning ofthe bundle as it is cinched tight and exposing the intermediate centerportion of the bundle for tying.

Referring now to the basic form of FIG. I (and equally applicable to aladder) the stand A is a light weight collapsible frame that extendsupward from a supporting surface such as the ground. The stand comprisesa front section or frame having spaced parallel legs 11, and a backsection or support having spaced parallel legs 12. The legs 11 and 12are pivotally hinged at an apex by means of a pin 13 or the like; therebeing at least one spreader 14 extending between the legs 11 to holdthem rigidly spaced. The legs 12 depend from said apex and are braced tothe legs 11 by means of folding struts 15. The spreader is concavelycurved for clearance from the debris being bundled and for structuralrigidity, and conducive to passing a tie behind the bundle. Also, thelegs 12 are rigidly braced by means of a rung 14 that extendstherebetween at or near the foot of the stand and to which a personsfoot pressure can be applied. Thus, the stand can be erected in the formof an A" frame and presents a stable structure of light weight.Likewise, a step ladder is the same as the stand hereinabove describedexcept that the legs are advantageously convergent with the stepstherealong.

The releasable winch B which characterizes this invention is carried bythe stand A in an elevated position, at a level convenient formanipulation without excessive bending of a persons back. As shown, apair of spaced coaxial bearings 16 are provided in the spaced legs 11and an elongated spindle or shaft 17 is rotatably journaled to revolvetherein. At the opposite ends of the shaft, preferably outside the legs11, there is a pair of drums l8 and to each of which is attached the endof a constrictor line D. The drums can vary in design and are shown asflanged cylinders fixed onto and adapted to turn with said shaft.

The anchor trunions C which characterize this invention are a pair ofspaced coaxial projections 19 that protrude from the legs 11 below thewinch B and substantially above the supporting ground level. Inpractice, the trunions C are embodied in a rod 20 with enlarged ends andthat extends through coaxial openings 21 in the spaced legs 11. Like thedrums 18, the projections 19 protrude from the exterior of each legrespectively.

The constrictor lines D which characterize this invention are each aflexible line or any strap or chain, as circumstances require dependentupon the service to be performed. In carrying out the invention, a highquality rope is employed, there being a pair of ropes 25 and each fixedto a complementary drum 18 and of equal length so as to be wound ontothe drums at the same rate. The free ends of the rope 25 are spliced orotherwise provided with loops 26 adapted to be anchored over thecomplementary trunions C.

In accordance with the invention, the winch B is releasable, and inpractice one of the drums 18 involves a ratchet wheel 27 formed in oneof its flanges and a manually releasable pawl 28 that engages the teethof the wheel 27 so as to permit the same to be advanced to draw in thelines D and normally prevent retraction of said lines. The ratchet cantake various forms and is shown with a gravity biased pawl 28 that ispivotally carried by stand A to overlie the wheel 27 and engage therachet teeth. Assuming the device to be used to right handed operationwith the person standing at the side of the legs 12, there is a crank 30at the right hand end of the shaft 17, and said crank and shaft arerevolved counter clockwise in order to advance the ropes 25 onto thedrums 18.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the collapsible frame A iserected with facility and becomes a stable structure carrying the winchB and anchor trunions C. In order to operate the baler for bundling andelevating a quantity of trash or debris, it is a simple matter to throwthe pawl 28 to an inactive position (supported upon the stop shown inFIG. 1) and then withdraw the two ropes 25 from the drums 18. The saidtwo ropes 25 are flexible and the free loop 26 ends are stretched outonto the ground, depending away from the drums l8 and extending from thebaler at right angles to the axis of the shaft 17 and parallel to eachother. A pile or stack S of debris is then laid over the extended ropes25, positioned near the legs 11, the pieces or members out of which thestack S is composed being generally elongated and projecting laterallybeyond the two ropes respectively. The said pieces or members of thestack S can be of random size and shape, providing they havesimultaneous engagement with the two ropes 25.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the free ends of the two ropes are then placedover the stack S and the respective loops 26 are slipped onto the twoanchor trunions C, whereupon the pawl 28 is positioned to engage theratchet wheel 27 and the crank 30 operated so as to advance the ropes 25onto the drums l8. Continued turning of the crank 30 draws the ropes 25so that they cinch tightly around the stack S and so as to lift itscenter to the approximate height shown in FIG. 3. The bundle can then berolled upward and/or downward along to legs 11 and the debris rearrangethereby for further compaction. When sufficient compaction is obtainedthe cranking is stopped and the winch rachet holds the degree ofcompaction; and it is at this point of the procedure that the bundle Xis formed and tied intermediate and/or outside the two encircling ropesand following which the ratchet is released and the slackening ropes 25removed from the trunions C. Note that the crank 30 is elevated and thatthe bundle X is lifted substantially above the ground level, and thatthe user of the baler can operate it single handed without bending orstooping excessively when turning the crank and when tying and releasingthe bundle X compacted thereby.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of myinvention, I do not wish to be to be limited or restricted to thespecific details herein set forth, but with to reserve to myself anymodifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A device for compacting and elevating a pile of generally elongatedmaterials, and including, a ground supported and upwardly extendingframe, a winch carried by the frame at its upper portion, and anelevated anchor trunion carried by the frame substantially below saidwinch, and a line fixed to and retractably drawable directly onto saidwinch and having a free end engageable under and then over the pile ofdebris to be releasably fastened to said anchor trunion; whereby a pileof elongated material laid transversely over the said line when it isretracted to extend from the said winch is compacted and elevated byconstriction of said line therearound when the said line is passedthereover and fixed to said anchor trunion and drawn onto the saidwinch.

2. The material compacting device as set forth in claim 1 and whereinthe winch is controlled by a releasable rachet means that normally holdsthe line as it is drawn onto said winch.

3. The material compacting device as set forth in claim 1 and whereinthe line has a loop at its free end and releasably engageable over andthereby connectable to said anchor trunion.

4. The material compacting device as set forth in claim 1, wherein theline has a loop at its free end and releasably engageable over andthereby fixable to said anchor trunion, and wherein the winch iscontrolled by a releasable ratchet means that normally holds the linedrawn onto said winch thereby to elevate the materials to the height ofsaid drum simultaneously with compaction thereof.

5. A device for compacting and elevating a pile of generally elongatedmaterials, and including, a ground supported frame having a pair ofupwardly extending legs held spaced by a spreader, a winch carried bythe frame and having a shaft journaled through the upper portion of eachleg and with a drum at each opposite end of the shaft, an elevatedanchor trunion projecting from each leg substantially below said winchand at a common height, and a pair of lines and each fixed to andretractably drawable directly onto one of said drums and each having afree end engageable under and then over the pile of debris to bereleasably fastened to one of said anchor trunions respectively; wherebya pile of elongated materials laid transversely over said pair of lineswhen they are retracted to extend from the drums is compacted andelevated by constriction of said lines therearound when the said linesare passed thereover and fixed to said anchor trunions and drawn ontothe said drums of the winch.

6. The material compacting device as set forth in claim 5 and whereinrotation of the winch shaft is controlled by a releasable rachet meansthat normally holds the lines as they are drawn onto the drums.

7. The material compacting device as set forth in claim 5 and whereineach of the lines has a loop at its free end and releasably engageableover and thereby connectable to said anchor trunion respectively.

8. The material compacting device as set forth in claim 5, whereineachof the lines has a loop at its free end and releasably engageable overand thereby fixable to said anchor trunions respectively, and whereinrotation of the winch shaft is controlled by a releasable ratchet meansthat normally holds the lines as they are drawn onto the drums.

9. The material compacting device as set forth in claim 5 and whereinthe frame is collapsible and thereby made portable by means of at leastone moveable leg pivoted at its upper end its said first mentioned endsof the said first mentioned legs.

1. A device for compacting and elevating a pile of generally elongatedmaterials, and including, a ground supported and upwardly extendingframe, a winch carried by the frame at its upper portion, and anelevated anchor trunion carried by the frame substantially below saidwinch, and a line fixed to and retractably drawable directly onto saidwinch and having a free end engageable under and then over the pile ofdebris to be releasably fastened to said anchor trunion; whereby a pileof elongated material laid transversely over the said line when it isretracted to extend from the said winch is compacted and elevated byconstriCtion of said line therearound when the said line is passedthereover and fixed to said anchor trunion and drawn onto the saidwinch.
 2. The material compacting device as set forth in claim 1 andwherein the winch is controlled by a releasable rachet means thatnormally holds the line as it is drawn onto said winch.
 3. The materialcompacting device as set forth in claim 1 and wherein the line has aloop at its free end and releasably engageable over and therebyconnectable to said anchor trunion.
 4. The material compacting device asset forth in claim 1, wherein the line has a loop at its free end andreleasably engageable over and thereby fixable to said anchor trunion,and wherein the winch is controlled by a releasable ratchet means thatnormally holds the line drawn onto said winch thereby to elevate thematerials to the height of said drum simultaneously with compactionthereof.
 5. A device for compacting and elevating a pile of generallyelongated materials, and including, a ground supported frame having apair of upwardly extending legs held spaced by a spreader, a winchcarried by the frame and having a shaft journaled through the upperportion of each leg and with a drum at each opposite end of the shaft,an elevated anchor trunion projecting from each leg substantially belowsaid winch and at a common height, and a pair of lines and each fixed toand retractably drawable directly onto one of said drums and each havinga free end engageable under and then over the pile of debris to bereleasably fastened to one of said anchor trunions respectively; wherebya pile of elongated materials laid transversely over said pair of lineswhen they are retracted to extend from the drums is compacted andelevated by constriction of said lines therearound when the said linesare passed thereover and fixed to said anchor trunions and drawn ontothe said drums of the winch.
 6. The material compacting device as setforth in claim 5 and wherein rotation of the winch shaft is controlledby a releasable rachet means that normally holds the lines as they aredrawn onto the drums.
 7. The material compacting device as set forth inclaim 5 and wherein each of the lines has a loop at its free end andreleasably engageable over and thereby connectable to said anchortrunion respectively.
 8. The material compacting device as set forth inclaim 5, wherein each of the lines has a loop at its free end andreleasably engageable over and thereby fixable to said anchor trunionsrespectively, and wherein rotation of the winch shaft is controlled by areleasable ratchet means that normally holds the lines as they are drawnonto the drums.
 9. The material compacting device as set forth in claim5 and wherein the frame is collapsible and thereby made portable bymeans of at least one moveable leg pivoted at its upper end its saidfirst mentioned legs and with its lower end moveable to a stableposition spaced from the lower ends of the said first mentioned legs.10. The material compacting device as set forth in claim 5 and whereinthe frame is collapsible and thereby made portable by means of a pair ofmoveable legs pivoted on a common axis to said first mentioned legs andwith the lower most ends thereof moveable to stable positions,respectively, spaced from the lower ends of the said first mentionedlegs.